Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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Your weekly community newspaper covering news from Carrum to Mentone
Wednesday 13 September 2023
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Plane plans A MASTER plan for Moorabbin Airport has been approved by the infrastructure minister. The plan was rejected by the previous federal government last year. See story page 3. Picture: Supplied
Cost of living crisis hurting pets - RSPCA Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au NEARLY 150 reports of animal cruelty were made in the Kingston local government area in the last year. The RSPCA has released its animal cruelty statistics for the 2022/2023 financial year. The figures revealed that 149 reports were made in the Kingston LGA - 11 animals ended up surrendered or seized by the RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate.
The Kingston LGA fared better than most others. It ranked 69th of 79 council areas in animal cruelty reports per 1000 residents. It also recorded less overall animal cruelty reports than it had in each of the three previous financial years. 307 reports of animal cruelty were made in the Frankston municipality in 22/23. The figure is the ninth-highest of 79 Victorian LGAs. Frankston’s animal cruelty reports are higher than in 2021/2022 and 2020/2021. It is an improvement on the 2019/2020 figure of 338. 27 ani-
School Holiday
Ferry Fun
mals in the Frankston municipality were surrendered to the RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate in 22/23. Statewide, the total number of animals seized by or surrendered to RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate has increased for six years running - this year it increased by nearly 20 percent. RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg said “during this time, we’ve also had several investigations resulting in large-scale seizures or surrenders of animals, forcing our teams to find room and resources to care for them in a short space of time.”
“When we prosecute cases of animal cruelty, our shelter teams may need to care for the animals involved as the court cases progress, sometimes lasting months or years, adding to the pressure already faced by our nearcapacity shelters,” he said. Stagg said that the current economic climate may be contributing to the rising animal cruelty numbers. “Cost of living pressures may be impacting people’s ability to care for their pets, whether it be their ability to provide suitable food or their ability to pay for necessary medical care. Many peo-
ple also became first-time pet owners during the pandemic and may need further information or support to help them understand how to care for their animals such as providing sanitary living conditions, grooming or preventative health measures,” he said. Dogs are the most common victim in animal cruelty reports. Cats are second, and horses rank third. Insufficient water, food, or shelter is the most common reason for a cruelty report. To make a report contact RSPCA Victoria on 9224 2222 or visit rspcavic.org/tip-off-form/
Jump aboard these school holidays for FREE* onboard activities Includes Talk Like a Pirate Day Join in the fun , dress up, bring a parrot, an eye patch and your best pirate words
www.searoad.com.au
*Activities are on select sailing dates and are included with the purchase of a ferry ticket.